Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh today called for using effective modes to spread awareness about government policies and schemes launched for the welfare and development of people. Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at a daylong orientation workshop on “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’’ here at Govt College for Women, Parade Jammu.The programme was organized by Song & Drama Division of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with Ministry of Women and Child Development New Delhi and State Mission Directorate ICDS J&K.Song & Drama Division is one of the media units of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting engaged in inter personal communication through live media utilizing wide range of performing arts for propagating various policies, programmes, and the schemes of central government. The task assigned to the Division is to make people aware about the benefits of the schemes, policies through its activities by way of utilizing popular folk and traditional forms in the respective dialects.Deputy Chief Minister said that music and drama directly connects people and registers its message. He lauded the efforts of Song & Drama Division for organizing such programme to sensitize people about this important issue.
Dr Singh said that lot more has to be done in the field of awareness and an effective mechanism is required to reach out to the people to make them aware of government schemes. He stressed on effective coordination between departments and local legislators to achieve the goal of educating people for their betterment through welfare and social schemes.To achieve the goal, there is a need to change in the mindset and social behaviour of people and that can be done only by making them aware of benefits of government schemes which offer financial and social assistance, Dr Singh said adding that it is very unfortunate that some people are still not allowing girl child to come to this world which can harm the process of development.Deputy Chief Minister said state government has also launched ‘Ladli Beti’ and ‘State Marriage Assistance Scheme’ for welfare of girl child. He said that these schemes can only benefit the people if we are able to make people aware of them.Highlighting the importance of awareness programmes, Dr Singh said that these should be preferably organized in the educational institutions as it is an important subject for new generations. He also assured full support of government in reaching out to the people with the benefits of these schemes.
Speaking on the occasion, Director, State Mission Directorate, ICDS Talat Pervez briefed the gathering about the working, aim & objectives of the project. He also informed that the Directorate has taken various steps to sensitize the issue of saving girl child and gender inequality among the people. He said that special focus is being laid on the districts where sex ratio.It was further informed that focus is being laid on the capacity building and training of the field level functionaries associated with the ICDS Scheme especially the Anganwadi and ASHA workers. Various cultural troupes from the state presented various cultural items including folk dance and songs highlighting social and developmental aspects of the shceme.Among other, Deputy Director DFP Neha Jalali, Regional Head Song & Drama Division Baljit Singh, Principal GCW Parade Aruna Dubey, prominent citizens and students were present on the occasion.